Combined carrying case and work support for portable sewing machines



y 1954 s. R. BELL 2,677,341

COMBINED CARRYING CASE AND WORK SUPPORT FOR PORTABLE SEWING MACHINES Filed July 27, 1948 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR SIDNEY R. BELL A'n'oRKEYs M y 4. 1954 s. R. BELL 1 COMBINED CARRYING CASE AND WORK SUPPORT FOR PORTABLE SEWING MACHINES 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 27, 1948 INVENTOR SIDNEY R./BELL TTO RN EYS Patented May 4, 1954 COMBINED GARRYING CASE AND WORK SUIWGRT FOR PORTABLE SEWING MACHINE S- Sidney R. Bell, Stamford, Conn., assignor, by mesne assignments, of four-fifths to Irving J. Moritt and one-fifth to Harry Rebell, both of Brooklyn, N. Y.

Application July 27, 1948, Serial No. 40,917

11 Claims. (01. 112-260) This invention relates to sewing machines, and more particularly to small, light-weight portable sewing machines.

The primary object of my invention is to generally improve small sewing machines of the character specified. A more particular object is to combine the sewing machine head with a small, compact carrying case simulating a ladys vanity box or other miniature piece of luggage.

Still another object is to provide a flat, smooth work table having an area which is extensive relative to the size of the machine, said table preferably being flush with a portion of the carrying case acting as a base, and said base being devoid of projecting hinges, clasps or the like which would in any way interfere with the feed of fabric over the work table.

Still another object of the invention is to pro vide a carrying case which houses a treadle operated rheostat and its flexible extension cords, along with the sewing machine head, and which stows the rheostat in such a way as to provide increased table area outside the needle of the machine when the machine is in use.

Still another object is to provide means to hold the head, the rheostat, and the work table securely in position within the case when the case is closed, and also to hold the head securely in working position when the machine is in use.

To accomplish the foregoing general objects, and other more particular objects which will hereinafter appear, my invention resides in the sewing machine and carrying case elements and their relation one to another as are hereinafter more particularly described in the following specification. The specification is accompanied by drawings in which Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the parts in stowed relation but with the cover swung open;

Fig. 2 is a section taken approximately in the plane of the line 2-2 of Fig. 1 but with the cover closed;

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section taken approximately in the plane of the line 33 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view with the parts separated; and

Fig. 5 is a perspective view with the machine in working condition.

Referring to the drawings, and more particularly to Fig. l, the sewing machine head I? is disposed in horizontal position in a carrying case made up of a base M, and a cover it which is readily detachably hinged to the base so that it may be completely removed, as is shown in Figs. 4 and 5. To make the case compact and to nevertheless provide a base of extensive area, the head It is stowed in horizontal position, that is, generally parallel to the base it, as shown in Fig. 1, but is used vertically or generally perpendicular to the base, as shown in Fig. 5.

A detachable table is (Fig. 4) has an opening 35 dimensioned to fit closely around the bed 29 of the head when the head is in working position, this being best shown in Fig. 5 of the drawing. It will be noted that the table is flush with the peripheral edges of the base, and with the bed plate (by which I mean the top of the bed of the sewing machine head). The hinges, the lock and the carrying handle of the case are all so arranged that the few parts which remain with the base are disposed below the table surface in order not to interfere with the feed of fabric over the table during the sewing operation. When not in use the table 58 fits within the cover 16, preferably against the top wall thereof, as is shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3.

The carrying case is dimensioned to receive not only the head of the sewing machine but also a treadle operated rheostat 22 with flexible. extension cords. This is preferably stowed at one end of the case, and the extra length of the case is usefully employed when the machine is in operation to provide added table area outside the needle, as is indicated at the left end of Fig. 5 of the drawing.

Considering the arrangement in greater d tail, and referring first to Fig. 4 of the drawing, the table l 8 is preferably dimensioned to fit Within the peripheral walls 24 and 25 of base it. Appropriate supports, in this case corner blocks 28, receive and support the table 58. The height of the blocks is such that the top of the table is flush with the edges of the base.

The sewing machine head comprises a bed 25! and a sewing machine arm 38. The bed 'tfi preferably has a flat top or bed plate surface 32, and this is also disposed in flush relation with the top of table 58. In the particular example of the invention here shown, the base is provided with a flat filler strip 34, the thickness of which is such as to establish the desired flush relation between all of the parts making up the. complete table surface, as shown in Fig. 5. The opening 36 cut through table 18 is dimensioned to fit closely about the bed of the machine, and this alone is suflicient to hold the head securely in position during the sewing operation.

The hinge portion it (Fig. 2) secured to the base i4 is lowered sufficiently to come flush with the top of the base. The mating hinge portion 42 on the cover i8 is correspondingly lowered, the hinge pins 4 coming below the cover, as shown in Fig. 4. The lock portion 35 having a projecting hinged clasp 48 is secured to the cover I6, while the lock portion 50 which is secured to the base Hi is disposed well below the top edge of the base.

The cover it is preferably wider than the base M, and the carrying handle 52 is secured to the cover. With such a construction the handle may be located approximately in the median plane of the carrying case, or the median plane of the sewing machine head when in stowed position.

Because the table I8 is dimensioned to fit within the peripheral walls of the base I l, it also fits within the peripheral walls of the cover it. Spring clips 54 or equivalent resilient means are provided to hold the table against the top wall of the cover. For this purpose the clips preferably pass through and bear against an edge of the opening 36.

The treadle operated rheostat 22 is preferably of a type disclosed and claimed in my eo-pending application, Serial No. 25,879, filed May 8, 1948, since issued on July 24, 1951 as Patent No. 2,561,- 556. In that rheostat. the periphery is deeply channeled or recessed to receive the extension cords which are wound thereabout. The rheostat with the cords wound therearound is simply dropped into one end of the case, as is best shown in Figs. 1 and 3. The treadle 55 of the rheostat is normally urged upwardly to off position by appropriate spring means forming a part of the rheostat. This fact is taken advantage of here to hold the rheostat snugly in position. For this purpose the cover It is provided with a block 53 which bears downwardly somewhat against the treadle 56, as is best shown in Fig. 3. The block is long enough to depress the treadle slightly, but is short enough not to depress the treadle fully. A slight depression of the treadle is adequate to hold the rheostat in position. A substantial depression of the treadle might fatigue the metal of the restoring spring.

In Fig. 1 it will be seen that the block 58 is so located that it passes through the opening 38 in the table it. Another block 69 similarly passes through the opening 36. This block is shaped to bear against the top of the sewing machine head, as is best shown in Fig. 2, thereby steadying the head against movement when the carrying case closed. The base l4 is also provided with suitable locating and support means for the head. There is a block. (or an assemblage of smaller blocks) which provide a filler 62 fitting against the bottom of the head; a filler 6-3 supporting the side of the bed; and a short locating block 66 which bears against the top of the bed. The spacer 34 previously referred to also helps support the head. Thus the head is supported against sideward movement, as viewed in Fig. 2. Referring now to Fig. 3, the head is supported against longitudinal movement because one end bears against the end wall of the carrying case, while the other end is supported by a curved block 68 which mates with the end of the sewing machine head.

In general the blocks and spacers are so arranged as to hold the sewing machine head firmly against movement in any direction and also to hold the rheostat against movement. The blocks on the cover are so disposed as to pass through the opening in the table when the table is stowed in the cover. The blocks in the base are so disposed as not to interfere with setting the sewing machine head in desired erect working position.

The details of the sewing machine head are not essential to the present invention, but briefly, the presser foot E2 is movable toward and away from the slide it. The machine has a thread take-up Hi and a thread tension 16, as well as a spool holder it. The motor is housed in the closed end of the head.

It is believed that the construction and method of use of my improved portable light-weight sewing machine, and particularly the combination of the sewing machine head and the carrying case therefor, as well as the advantages thereof, will be apparent from the foregoing detailed description. The case is carried in generally vertical position by means of its carrying handle, much as would be done with a vanity box or other miniature piece of luggage. When the machine is to be used it is laid with the base downward; the lock opened; the cover removed altogether; and the head and rheostat removed from the base. The table is then pulled out of the cover and set into the base. The sewing machine head is then set into the base through the opening in the table until it rests firmly on the bottom of the base, at which time the bed plate is flush with the table. The extension cords are then unwound from about the rheostat, one plug being connected to a wall outlet, and the other being connected to the sewing machine head, the latter connection being shown in Fig. 5 of the drawing. The rheostat is placed on the floor at a comfortable location, and the machine is then ready for operation.

It will be apparent that while I have shown and described my invention in a preferred form, changes may be made in the structure shown, without departing from the spirit of the invention as sought to be defined in the following claims:

I claim:

1. A combined portable sewing machine, work support, and carrying case comprising a sewing machine head having a bed, and a carrying case for said head, said case having a base and a cover, said base having a depth substantially equal to the depth of the machine bed, said case and said head being so relatively dimensioned that the head is disposed horizontally or generally parallel to the base when enclosed in the case and is disposed vertically or generally perpendicular to the base when in use, and further comprising a separable fiat table having an opening shaped and dimensioned to fit entirely around the bed of the head when the head is in erect or working position, said opening being defined by an edge corresponding to the horizontal edge profile of the machine bed, means on said base to support the table with the edges of the table received within the peripheral walls of the base and with the top of the table flush with the edges of the base, the bed of the sewing machine being so proportioned and so located relative to the base that the bed plate or top of the bed is flush with the table.

2. A combined portable sewing machine, work support, and carrying case comprising a sewing machine head having a bed, and a carrying case for said head, said case having a base and a cover with connecting but releasable hardware, said base having a depth substantially equal to the depth of the machine bed, said case and said head being so relatively dimensioned that the head is disposed horizontally or generally parallel to the base when enclosed in the case and is disposed vertically or generally perpendicular to the base when in use, and further comprising a separable fiat table having an opening shaped and dimensioned to fit entirely around the bed of the head when the head is in erect or working position, said opening being defined by an edge corresponding to the horizontal edge profile of the machine bed, means on said base to support the table with the edges of the table received within the peripheral Walls of the base and with the top of the table flush with the edges of the base, the bed or" the sewing machine being so proportioned and so located relative to the base that the bed plate or top of the bed is flush with the table, the portions of the connecting hardware of said case which remain with said base being disposed below said table surface in order not to interfere with the feed of fabric over the table during the sewing operation.

3. A combined portable sewing machine, work support, and carrying case comprising a sewing machine head having a bed, and a carrying case for said head, said case having a base and a cover, said base having a depth substantially equal to the depth of the machine bed, said case and said head being so relatively dimensioned that the head is disposed horizontally or generally parallel to the base when enclosed in the case and is disposed vertically or generally perpendicular to the base when in use, and further comprising a separable flat table having an opening shaped and dimensioned to fit entirely around the bed of the head when the head is in erect or working position, said opening being defined by an edge corresponding to the horizontal edge profile of the machine bed, means on said base to support the table with the edges of the table received within the peripheral walls of the base and with the top of the table flush with the edges of the base, the bed of the sewing machine being so proportioned and so located relative to the base that the bed plate or top of the bed is flush with the table, said table being removable from said base and fitting within the peripheral walls and against the top of the cover when the head is enclosed. within the case.

i. A combined carrying case and work support for a portable sewing machine having a sewing machine head, said case having a base and a cover, said base having a depth substantially equal to the depth of the machine bed, and said case being so dimensioned relative to the head as to receive the head generally parallel to the base when enclosed in the case, and means whereby said head. may be disposed upright and perpendicular to the base when in use, said means includin wholly detachable flat work support table having a large opening therein shaped and dimensioned to fit around the bed of the head when the head is in erect or working position, said opening being defined by an edge corresponding to the horizontal edge profile of the machine bed. the base being provided with means to support the table with the edges of the table received within the peripheral walls of the base and with the top of the table flush with the edges of the base, and the said means support ing the table at a height above the base equal to the height of the machine bed, whereby the top of the bed is flush with the table when the sewing machine is in use.

5. A combined carrying case and work support for a portable sewing machine having a sewing machine head, said case having a base and a cover, and said case being so dimensioned relative to the head as to receive the head generally parallel to the base when enclosed in the case, and means whereby said head may be disposed upright and perpendicular to the base when in use, said means including a wholly detachable fiat work support table having a large opening therein shaped and dimensioned to fit around the machine bed when the head is in erect or working position, said opening being defined by an edge corresponding to the horizontal edge profile of the machine bed, and said case having fully separable hardware connecting the cover and the base, the portions of the hardware which remain with said base being disposed below the edges of the base in order not to interfere with the feed of fabric over the base and table during use of the machine, and the table being removable from the base and dimensioned to fit within the peripheral walls of the cover against the top of the cover to make room for the head of the machine when the head is carried in the case.

6. A combined carrying case and work support for a portable sewing machine assembly comprising a sewing machine head and a rheostat with flexible extension cords, said carrying case having a base and a cover, said case being so dimensioned relative to the head as to receive the head generally parallel to the base when enclosed in the case, said case being so dimensioned that there is additional space along one end of the head to receive the rheostat and cords, said case further comprising a detachable work support table havin an opening to fit around the machine bed when the head is in erect or working position, said opening being defined by an edge corresponding to the horizontal edge profile of the machine bed, said opening being so located that the head is disposed with its needle end spaced a substantial distance from the nearer end of the case when the head is in erect or working condition thereby increasing the work table area around the needle.

'7. A combined carrying case and work support for a portable sewing machine assembly comprising a sewing machine head and a rheostat with flexible extension cords, said carrying case having a base and a cover, said base having a depth substantially equal to the depth of the machine bed, said case being so dimensioned relative to the head as to receive the head generally parallel to the base when enclosed in the case, said case being so dimensioned that there is additional space along one end of the head to receive the rheostat and cords, said case further comprising a detachable work support table having an opening to fit around the machine bed when the head is in erect or working position, said opening being defined by an edge corresponding to the horizontal edge profile of the machine bed, said opening being so located that the head is then disposed with its needle end spaced a substantial distance from the nearer end of the case thereby increasing the work table area around the needle, means on said base to support the table with the top of the table flush with the edges of the base and also at such a height as to be flush with the top or" the machine bed When the head is in use, said table being removable from the base and dimensioned to fit within the peripheral walls and against the top of the cover when the head is enclosed within the case.

8. A combined carrying case and work support for a portable sewing machine having a sewing machine head, said case having a base and a cover, and said case being so dimensioned relative to the head as to receive the head gen erally parallel to the base when enclosed in the case, and means whereby said head may be disposed upright and perpendicular to the base when in use, said means including a wholly detachable flat work support table having a large opening therein shaped and dimensioned to fit around the machine bed when the head is in erect or working position, said opening being defined by an edge corresponding to the horizontal edge profile of the machine bed, the cover being provided with a holding block dimensioned to bear against the head when stowed, and the base being provided with locating blocks for the head when stowed, said locating blocks being so located as not to interfere with desired positioning of the head in erect position in registration with the table.

9. A combined carrying case and work support for a portable sewing machine assembly comprising sewing machine head and a rheostat with flexible extension cords, said carrying case having a base and a cover, said case being so dimensioned relative to the head as to receive the head generally parallel to the base when enclosed in the case, said case being so dimen sioned that there is additional space along one end of the head to receive the rheostat and cords, said case further comprising a detachable work support table having an opening to fit around the machine bed when the head is in erect or working position, said opening being defined by an edge corresponding to the horizontal edge profile of the machine bed, said opening being so located that the head is disposed with its needle end spaced a substantial distance from the nearer end of the case when the head is in erect or working condition thereby increasing the work table area around the needle, the cover being provided with holding means to hold the table therein when not in use, and the cover being provided with a holding block for hearing against and slightly depressing the treadle of the rheostat in order to yieldably hold the same in position, said holding block passing through said opening in said table.

10. A combined carrying case and work support for a portable sewing machine assembly comprising a sewing machine head and a rheostat with flexible extension cords, said carrying case having a base and a cover, said base having a depth substantially equal to the depth of the machine bed, said case being so dimensioned relative to the head as to receive the head generally parallel to the base when enclosed in the case, said case being so dimensioned that there is additional space along one end of the head to receive the rheostat and cords, said case further comprising a detachable work support table having an opening to fit around the machine bed when the head is in erect or working position, said opening being defined by an edge corresponding to the horizontal edge profile of the machine bed, said opening being so located that the head is then disposed with its needle end spaced a substantial distance from the nearer end of the case thereby increasing the work table area around the needle, means on said base to support the table with the top of the table flush with the edges of the base and also at such a height as to be fiush with the top of the machine bed when the head is in use, said table being removable from the base and dimensioned to fit within the peripheral walls and against the top of the cover when the head is enclosed within the case, the cover being provided with a holding block dimensioned to bear against the head when stowed, the base being provided with locating blocks for the head when stowed, said locating blocks being so located as not to interfere with desired positioning of the head in erect position in registration with the table, the cover being provided with holding means to hold the table therein when not in use, and the cover being provided with a holding block for hearing against and slightly depressing the treadle of the rheostat in order to hold the same yieldably in position said holding blocks passing through said opening in said table.

11. A combined portable sewing machine, work support, and carrying case comprising a sewing machine head having a bed, and a carrying case for said head, said case having a base and a cover, said base having a depth substantially equal to the depth of the machine bed, said case and said head being so relatively dimensioned that the head is disposed horizontally or generally parallel to the base when enclosed in the case and is disposed vertically or generally perpendicular to the base when in use, and further comprising a separable flat table having an opening shaped and dimensioned to fit entirely around the bed of the head when the head is in erect or working position, said opening being defined by an edge corresponding to the horizontal edge profile of the machine bed, means on said base to support the table with the edges of the table received within the peripheral walls of the base and with the top of the table flush with the edges of the base, the bed of the sewing machine being so proportioned and so located relative to the base that the bed plate or top of the bed is flush with the table, the peripheral walls of said cover being substantially wider than the peripheral Walls of said base, said cover being readily detachably hinged to said base, and a carrying handle disposed on the peripheral wall of said cover in such a positio as to be approximately in the median plane of the case.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,783,836 Finalyson Dec. 2, 1930 2,091,994 Kilpatrick Sept. '7, 1937 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 585,515 Great Britain Feb. 10, 1947 

